Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez ensured Southampton continue their fine start to the season - and moved them up to fourth in the Premier League.

Mauricio Pochettino's side picked up their fourth win in seven games to move into the Champions League places as they fought past Swansea at St Mary's.

Lallana finished from a tight angle having been set up by Steven Davis, before Rodriguez sealed the win late on.

Nathan Dyer hit the post for the visitors in the first half, while Artur Boruc kept the home side in it with a string of fine saves.

The Swans have taken just seven points from their first seven matches, leaving them just a point above the drop zone.

But it was harsh scoreline on a Swansea side that made five changes from the win over St Gallen.

One of those to come in was Saints academy graduate Dyer, who burst down the right flank early on only to be blocked off by Dejan Lovren.

Jonjo Shelvey tested Boruc soon after as Swansea controlled the early tempo, but Saints soon settled into their stride.

Michel Vorm was fortunate to avoid punishment after appearing to handle outside the box under pressure, before Dani Osvaldo wriggled free and fired into the side netting from an acute angle.

(Image: Richard Heathcote)

An intelligent Rickie Lambert pass just evaded Lallana as Saints continued to threaten, finding the breakthrough in the 19th minute.

Morgan Schneiderlin cushioned a header back to Davis, whose delicate chipped pass found Lallana and the Saints captained rifled home.

It was just the hosts' second goal from open play this season, but they almost had another soon after as Lallana came close to latching onto a Lambert knock back.

The match was now flowing from end to end and Swansea were testing the Southampton defence with increasing regularity.

Jose Fonte had to react quickly to head behind a threatening Wayne Routledge cross, before Boruc fantastically denied a header from Michu, wearing a protective scrum cap after receiving a head injury on Thursday.

The Polish goalkeeper was again called into action to thwart hopeful efforts from Shelvey and Bony, as well as smother a low Dyer cross.

Lambert saw a long-range free-kick parried away when Saints returned to the attack, only for Swansea to come agonisingly close to levelling.

Dyer collected a clever backheel from Bony and had time to hit a left-footed strike that hit the inside of the post and flew across the goal before going out for a goal kick.

Davis and Lambert had attempts for Saints, only for Swansea to again threaten as a Dyer cross found Bony, whose powerful header was just pushed around the post by Boruc.

Shelvey, Dyer and Bony all had efforts early in the second half as Swansea continued in the ascendancy after Jose Canas was booked for a lunge on Osvaldo.

Saints were struggling to deal with the hosts' possession game and Lovren was given a yellow card for bringing down Bony on the edge of the box.

Shelvey floated the resulting free-kick just over, with James Ward-Prowse replacing Osvaldo as Pochettino looked to stem the flow.

The change appeared to work as Swansea attacked with less regularity and Saints managed to secure a better foothold on the game.

The hosts thought they had made it 2-0 in the 76th minute when Wanyama prodded home a Ward-Prowse's corner, which should not have been awarded in the first place.

The Kenyan raced to the corner in celebration, only for the goal to be ruled out by referee Mike Dean to the puzzlement of those inside St Mary's.

The home fans did not have to wait long for a second, though.

Chico failed to deal with a ball over the top and Rodriguez took advantage, grabbing possession and slotting home to secure three points.